Thursday, March 6, 2014

I realize this is a super late blog entry but hey, better late than
never right, right? Right! So here goes my report for the 2nd Annual
Komikon Baguio which took place last 08 February 2014.

This,
of course, was a special event for us since for the first time (and perhaps the last! Haha!), I have been invited as a special guest. Also, we
were to launch our new Baby Days Comics. We were so excited we went to
Baguio a day earlier! We stayed at the
home of my bestfriend.

Unfortunately, we were still a
little late on the event itself. Too bad, we didn’t anticipate how long
it would take us from Ambiong to the venue. I’d have to say I was
touched with the sweetness of the organizers though. They texted me,
asked where we were, and offered to pick us up. I said thanks and
assured them we were on our way.

Upon arrival, we were again impressed because some volunteers helped us carry our stuff to the 4th floor.

Already
waiting for me upstairs was fellow Pangalatoons member Remar Khalid
Ragudos with his daughter Khairah. He brought several copies of his
first comic 15 Watts which we later gave away for free. I’m really proud
of that guy! Shortly thereafter, my good friends (and all-time favorite Komikon couple of mine haha) Myke Guisinga and Robin Rivero also
arrived to promote Myke’s upcoming stuff from Advent Comics. So yeps, I
had the coolest table-mates that day!

Photo credits: Remar Khalid Ragudos

Around after
lunch, I was called onstage to deliver a brief message. I started it
with a little game and gave away copies of Baby Days and 15 Watts for
those who participated. I then spoke a bit about the power of
collaboration, addressing specifically those who are planning to make
comics for the first time but couldn’t begin somehow. It was my first
time to speak in such a setting and, while fun, I’d admit it was a
nerve-wracking experience haha!

Photo credits: Komikon Baguio

Later on, I was again
invited to share the stage with the other guests for a panel discussion.
I enjoyed that part. Also, it’s really a huge honor to sit beside some
of the industry’s top talents.

Photo credits: Komikon Baguio

Photo credits: Komikon Baguio

Yuri joined me onstage too. I guess the buy didn't want to miss out on the fun!

The rest of the time
was spent on our designated table, pitching our books to the attendees.
It was, as always, fun to interact with the readers and to make new
friends. That is definitely my favorite part of the event!

Photo credits: Remar Khalid Ragudos

Here’s the rest of the pictures:

Aside from the comics, we also sold these chocolates my wife made!

Of course, the SIKAMI Anthology was available on our table, too.

Remar signing our anthology for a fan!

True to our Komikon tradition, little Yuri again wore a costume.
To this day, though, I still can't figure out whether he's a dragon or a dino. lol!
Photo credits: Remar Khalid Ragudos

A
funny experience: These "fan girls", as they called themselves, bought a
copy of "My Wife Is Pregnant." They asked for Yuri's autograph, not mine.
Afterwards, they turned to me and said "Sige kuya, ikaw na rin." I was
officially an afterthought hahaha!

Yuri and Khairah

Joy and Yuri strike a pose while waiting for more comic and choco buyers haha! Photo credits: Myke and Robin

Myke gave me this awesome Iron Man piece which I would gladly add to my artwork collection.

Zaid also bought my stuff. He tells me he's from Iraq and I said "Scary, man!" We both chuckled.

Carlo Vergara, one of the comic creators I really look up to, also got his copy of Baby Days!

Another personal highlight for me was finally meeting Jim Jimenez in person. Turned out one of my childhood heroes was really, really friendly and very, very approachable. I asked for a Vanguard sketch - one of his creations, a favorite of mine from way back my elementary years haha. He was a little shocked I asked for that character. He later tells me I made him feel old. Sorry, Sir Jim lol!

One final pose before leaving the event. Photo credits: Myke and Robin

Before
ending this entry, allow me to extend my warmest thanks to everyone who
dropped by our table, bought our comics, chatted with us and exchanged
high-fives and fist-bumps with Yuri! Thanks to Remar as well for the gifts and also to Myke and Robin for the wonderful early-dinner treat at Azotea Greens. Of course, to Raymond and Christy Torio for accommodating us in their home.

Special thanks as
well to my favorite collaborators Teardrop Cordez for helping make the
pages look good and Jaybee Bonus for pulling an all-nighter so we can
finish Baby Days in time for the Kon. You did a great job with the
layouts and letters, man. Plus we all love that awesome cover!

Photo credits: Komikon Baguio

Huge
thanks to Komikon Baguio organizers (Gabriel, Tim Ex, Kristine and everyone else)
for being a gracious host. You’ve all been extremely good to me and my
family. Thank you for inviting us and making us a part of your event.
We’re definitely coming back next year!

Thursday, February 6, 2014

I'm
attending the event with my family and we're pretty excited. We're
actually preparing stuff as I type these words (its 4:38 am haha) and
we'll be traveling a few hours from now.

Anyway, just a quick update here about whats we have in store for the con.

First off, here's the official poster. And yeps, I've been invited as one of the guest speakers. Woot!

Yesterday, we got the freshly-printed of My Wife Is Pregnant and so we're ready to rock. We hope people from Baguio will check out our autobio book (which I often market as "A Survival Guide for Expectant Dads" haha). This one costs P70!

We'll also selling our new comic - Baby Days, the sequel to our first book. Obviously, this tackles about our lives as new parents. I 'd like to mention as well that 4 pages of this story is about our first Baguio vacation as a family. It was fun drawing popular spots in the city as well as about our experience during the first Komikon Baguio! :)

I'm not sure about the price yet (I'll find out later after we get the copies) but rest assured it will be cheaper than MWIP because it has fewer pages and B&W cover. In the mean time, let me just tell you how much I love that sweet cover designed by the awesome Jaybee Bonus! :)

Also available on our table is 15 WATTS - a wordless comic by fellow Pangalatoons member Remar Khalid Ragudos. This one is available for free when you purchase any or both of my titles. Be warned though that there are only limited copies of this so visit our table early! Remar will be hanging around our booth as well so be sure to ask him to sign your copy.

Of course, we'll also have copies of SIKAMI: Pangasinense Comic Book Anthology on our table. The book contains five stories from top comic creators namely Bong Redila (PNR 2AM), Patrick Rawrr
Enrique (They Call Her Death, I Call Her Destiny), Kevin Rusty Macaraeg
(Alevosia), Mark Rosario (My Wife Is Pregnant) and Mel Casipit (Super
Cheesy). It also features a special wrap-around cover by DC Comics artist
Dexter Soy and pin-ups by Richard Peter David, Remar Khalid Ragudos, Bing Cansino and more. You can get this for P150!

Lastly, sweet tooths would probably love my Joy's homemade chocolates so please drop by our booth. Prices vary depending on the size but be assured they're going to be affordable (and yummy!). Boys, buy one for your crushes or girlfriends and support my wife's first business venture. Haha!

I'll be at table 101 right beside my good buddy Myke Guisinga who'll be doing sketches during the event and selling this Advent Comics poster. Do check out his stuff too!

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Don Celadina recently reviewed the comic over at his Tumblr blog. Thanks, DCel, for the kind words!

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

When I got back from
KOMIKON, the first book I read was the last one I picked-up: Mark
Rosario’s “My Wife Is Pregnant”. I’ve seen Mark’s strips posted on
Facebook and it really was amusing. It made me smirk or LOL in front of
the screen, disturbing the peace of our office.

I was excited when I heard that Mark planned to leap into indie
publishing by making those strips into a full-pledged comic book. “An
Authobiographical Comic Book”. It was right there on the cover. I
should’ve known that this wouldn’t just be a humorous and sometimes
self-depracating take on his road to fatherhood. What Mark made was a
“love letter” to his wife and kid.

Keep it up Mark and start writing/making the second installment. I am
sure dad’s and expectant parents will enjoy your work. I DID. And my “wife” isn’t even pregnant.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

I can’t remember how I first heard or read of this little webcomic series. Friends managed to convince him to finally release the strips as a compilation.

As the title says, these are the adventures of a young couple, Markus
and Ligaya (Mark and Joy in real life), first as newlyweds and then in
having their first baby. The adventures are rendered with clean and cute
drawings. (In the online version it has simple but nice digital
coloring.)

In neither its concept or its execution is this little series
remarkable. It’s in warmth and heart that it is. This is more the story
of true love played out in real life, in all its daily annoyances and
absurdities. This is the story of two people learning to love each other
more and more as each day passes, playing off each other and
sacrificing for each other. This is a series that knows how to laugh at
itself, and at its author. It’s a series that doesn’t hide the
imperfections of itself and of the couple it presents. Rather it
celebrates it, and the fact that love isn’t perfect, but you make it
your own.

Every OB clinic’s waiting room should have this among its reading
material (you can finish it while waiting to be called in for a
consult), to help first-time husbands understand how they can best be
helpful to their wives. The tips are humorous but heartfelt and honest.
But it’s most memorable for being a personal view at what it’s like. If
they can get through it, so can everyone.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

My Wife Is Pregnant's print edition was finally (yes, finally!) released last Summer Komikon2013. The event took place last April 13 at Pasig City's Bayanihan Center - which got heavily jam-packed with the huge number of attendees!

Photo credits: Robin Rivero

Me, Joy and Yuri arrived at the venue around 10:30am but the books came much later. It was almost 2pm when Gilbert Monsanto arrived with the copies. I thank the good Sarge for helping me out with it despite how busy he has been lately. He's been through tough times but he still made it to the Kon.

Of course, it was indeed a beautiful feeling to finally hold the comic on my hands for the first time!

Photo credits: Danry Ocampo

Summer Komikon's Youngest and Cutest Cosplayer

In
case you missed it in the first picture, yes, Yuri cosplayed during
the Kon. He was Superbaby that day! However, Renie Palo (one of
my Bayan Knight buddies) often referred to him as the official "BK
Mascot" haha!

Photo credits: Renie Palo

Close Encounter With The Online Friends

While waiting for the books, I also got to hang out with a few friends around the convention area. If I'm not mistaken, its my first time to meet Edelrita Rizo in person. Those who have bought a copy of MWIP will know she wrote some kind words at the back cover. She also helped promote the title before the Kon - and even during! She posted a picture of the comics on her Facebook and encouraged people to check it out right away. She's such a cool girl!

Photo credits: Redg Vicente

I
also met good friend and Indie Komiks Reviews partner-in-crime
Kristopher Garello for the first time today. He asked for a quick sketch
on his notebook. I gladly obliged! He was the only one to ask for a
sketch te entire day haha!

John Amor was also around, along with his wife and the other Tres Komikeros dudes. I wish I chatted with them a little longer. Maybe next time!

Rappler Interview

Another
highlight of the day was that Rappler's Jerald Uy dropped by our table
and interviewed me - which I'm really grateful about since it gave me an
opportunity to tell people about the book.

Pitching the comic to con-goers was really a thrill. I enjoyed interacting people and telling them what the book is all about.

It was also flattering that some big names in the industry visited me and bought a copy. First, there's Josel Nicolas. It was a starstruck moment when he suddenly appeared out of nowhere and pulled 70 bucks out of his pocket to pay for a copy. It felt surreal!

A pretty lady also came that day and told me "Kanina ko pa hinahanap ito eh." Which made me smile! I asked for her name before signing the comic and she simply said "Nida." I then recognized her as Visprint big boss Nida Ramirez! Now that's starstruck moment #2 haha! My heart melted.

Speaking of signing, I had fun writing short messages for the buyers. I mostly wrote "Thanks for buying a copy. Go forth and multiply!" ehehehe...

And oh! The Amazing Spider-Dan also purchased a copy of MWIP! What cover did he get? Well, obviously...

Post Kon Celebration of Sorts

Before 7pm fell, I went around and dropped by Omeng's place. I delivered his copy of MWIP. On my way back to our table, I chanced upon Robert Magnuson and chatted with him a bit. He's such a down-to-earth dude, it felt like we've been buddies for a long time. Haha! I rushed to get my copy of Bully Saurus Rex (which I've been reading to my baby since he was 3 months old) and had it signed. He wrote "To the Maxwell Saurus, ROARRR!!!" That was extremely cool! This is starstruck moment #3 haha! I left with a huge smile on my face. A friend asked, "Sino yun?" and I replied "Si Robert Magnuson. Idol ko yun." Too bad copies of his Kuting Magiting were sold out early in the afternoon.

After the Kon, we had a lovely dinner with our beloved friends Myke Guisinga and Robin Rivero. Choi Lat also joined us there. Thanks to you, Myke and Robs, for making our stay comfy and special!

Overall, I'd say this is the most fun and most memorable comic
convention I attended so far. Thank you to everyone who purchased a copy
of My Wife Is Pregnant. Also, huge thanks to Gilbert Monsanto for all
the support and for reserving a spot for the comic on his table.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Hello there, folks!Summer Komikon is fast approaching and, well, some of you may already know that I will finally be releasing the print version of the comic. Hopefully, those of you who will drop by the event will give this little project of mine a shot.

For the benefit of those who have never encountered the book, this is the part where I make a pitch hehe!

Synopsis:

My Wife Is Pregnant - An autobiographical comic book about the experiences of a geeky husband and a
pregnant wife. Join Markus and Ligaya as they go through the joys and
challenges of anticipating their first baby.

Credits:
Story and art by Mark Rosario
Inks by Mary Joy Rosario
Tones and effects by Teadrop Cordez
Letters, effects and layouts by Jaybee Bonus
Foreword by Carlo Jose San Juan MD

Price: P 70.00 only!

Here's the regular cover (my artwork with colors by Jay Acosta):

Plus here's the special variant cover by Gilbert Monsanto.

I'll be printing limited copies of this! Don't say I didn't warn you!

A few readers have also been kind enough to share their thoughts about MWIP. I made a short video out of those comments.

Also, I made a short "teaser" of sorts featuring a few pages from the
actual comic. Must admit I got a little teary-eyed while creating this
vid (made me remember all the things we went through before little Yuri
came to our lives)

Followers

Autobiographical comic strips about Joy's pregnancy.

Created by Mark Rosario.

With digital fixes/letters by Teardrop Cordez and colors by StephFaith Bautista.

REVIEWS

EK Gonzales(Jumper Cable):"Every OB clinic’s waiting room should have this among its reading material to help first-time husbands understand how they can best be helpful to their wives. The tips are humorous but heartfelt and honest."

Don Celadina (Jtmtzrwj Tumblr Rants):"(Its more than) just a humorous and sometimes self-depracating take on his road to fatherhood. What Mark made was a "love letter" to his wife and kid.